The NFL Thursday night game schedule continues in week 11 with a battle of AFC teams fighting to stay in post-season contention.

New York Jets at Denver Broncos

Denver (4-5) rides into this contest winners of three of the four games that quarterback Tim Tebow has started, including last week’s triumph over Kansas City that saw the former Heisman Trophy winner complete just two passes. Not surprisingly, Denver averages 159.9 passing yards per game, the second lowest total in the league. The Broncos may also be without running backs Willis McGahee and Knowshon Moreno, both of whom were injured Sunday. With the Jets formidable secondary and the injuries in the backfield, Tebow and reserve back Lance Ball will have to sustain long drives with their feet.

New York (5-4) hopes that its offense can get on track against a Denver defense that gives up an average of 26.0 points per game, the third-most in the league. The Broncos defense does pressure the quarterback; it’s ninth in the league in sacks with 24. That means Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez may have even less time than he did against New England, when he was hit often and threw two interceptions to raise his season’s turnover total to 14. Sanchez must use backs Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson to set up his passing game.